Loudspeaker fixture

ABSTRACT

A loudspeaker fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to a baffle by means of a clamping plate consisting of two hinged parts, one of which engages the loudspeaker, while not obstructing the loudspeaker aperture.

United States Patent Krainh'dfer Dec. 17, 1974 LOUDSPEAKER FIXTURE [56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Giinter Krainhiifer, Solms, Germany UNITED STATES PATENTS 73 Assignee; Philips Corporation New 2,165,637 7/1939 Little 179/146 R X York, 3,369,784 2/1968 Whitney 179/146 R X [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1973 App]. No.: 348,685

Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-William C. Cooper Attorney, Agent, or FirmFrank R. Trifari 5 7 ABSTRACT A loudspeaker fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to a baffle by means of a clamping plate consisting of two hinged parts, one of which engages the loudspeaker, while not obstructing the loudspeaker aperture.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures LOUDSPEAKER FIXTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a loudspeaker fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to the rear of a loudspeaker baffle by means of a clamping plate which engages a fixing flange of the loudspeaker and which does not obstruct the loudspeaker aperture.

Particularly with motor cars rear mounting of loudspeakers is of great significance, because the loudspeakers are mounted in different places behind the dashboard of the vehicle from the rear. Generally speaking, no screws should extend through the loudspeaker chassis and the loudspeaker baffle to the front of the dashboard; nor is it acceptable to secure the loudspeaker by means of screws from the front of the instrument board.

A known method is to attach the flange of the loudspeaker chassis to a rubber plate, which in turn is cemented to the loudspeaker baffle from the rear of the dashboard. Such attachment is simple, but does not permit removal of the rubber plate from the loudspeaker baffle without damaging the plate.

Whereas the rubber plate in principle surrounds the fixing flange of the loudspeaker chassis, the clamping plate described in German Gebrauchsmuster 7131005 has been provided with hooks which grip around the loudspeaker chassis. Although the loudspeaker is thus mounted to the clamping plate in a detachable manner, it is still necessary to cement the clamping plate to the loudspeaker baffle of a radio receiver for example.

Finally, it is known from German Gebrauchsmuster" 1996537 and 6930691, to provide hook-shaped projections on the loudspeaker baffle itself which grip around the flange of a loudspeaker chassis. However, such hooks can be fitted only when the type and dimensions of the loudspeaker to be mounted to the baffle are precisely known, which is generally the case when manufacturing radio and television apparatus as well as loudspeaker enclosures. Such hooks are not suited for mounting in motor cars, because loudspeakers of various makes, and thus of various dimensions, are to be fitted behind the dashboards of motor cars.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a loudspeaker fixture which can be adapted to a loudspeaker aperture provided in a loudspeaker baffle, and by means of which the loudspeaker can be clamped in place from the rear.

With a loudspeaker fixture of the type mentioned in j the preamble, this problem is solved in that the clamping plate consists of two parts which can be pivoted relative to each other, and one of which is secured to the loudspeaker chassis. Insertion hooks have been provided near those edges of the clamping plate parts which face away from the hinge, by means of which hooks said edges can be attached to the edges of the loudspeaker aperture. The distance between the hooks is slightly smaller than the distance between the associated clamping plate edges and the edges of the loudspeaker aperture respectively, so that when the bent clamping plate is depressed into the plane of the loudspeaker aperture the entire plate is tensioned between the hooks, thus securing the loudspeaker. With such a loudspeaker, fixture clamping plates fixture clamping plates ready-made for a certain type of motor car are employed, and according to the type of apparatus the loudspeakers need merely be fixed onto these clamping plates.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the hooks, whose openings face the edge of the loudspeaker aperture, are mounted on those edges of the clamping plate part which are facing away from the hinge. When the clamping plate is bent the hooks can be readily slid onto the edges of the loudspeaker baffle. If the loudspeaker is subsequently pressed against this baffle, the hooks are forced apart and exert a tension on the opposite edges of the loudspeaker aperture. The loudspeaker can then only be removed from the loudspeaker baffle by pulling it off the baffle by force, so that the clamping plate bends after the dead point has been overcome and is detached from the loudspeaker baffle.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention a latching spring has been provided at that edge of the pivoted part of the clamping plate which faces away from the hinge, which spring grips over the loudspeaker chassis when the clamping plate is depressed. As a result, it is no longer necessary to depress the clamping plate beyond its dead point.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the hinge between the clamping plate parts that can be pivoted relative to each other is a film hinge constituted by a groove in the clamping plate. Finally, in the case of an oval loudspeaker, the hinge extends in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse. As a result. the hooks are spaced further apart, thus providing a reliable locking.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following embodiment and the drawings BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a loudspeaker fixture according to the invention prior to mounting, and

FIG. 2 shows the loudspeaker fixture according to FIG. I in the mounted condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawing shows a sectional view of a dashboard 1 of a motorcar. This dashboard 1 consists of a baffle 3 and a grille 5 covering the baffle. In the baffle 3 a loudspeaker aperture 7 has been provided, which has an elliptical shape when loudspeaker 9 is also elliptical. The aperture 7 may just as well be rectangular or polygonal, in accordance with the shape of the loudspeaker used. Aperture 7 is always adapted to match the chassis of the loudspeaker 9."

The loudspeaker 9 to be mounted to baffle 3 may be attached to a first part 11' of a clamping plate 11 by means of screws. A second part 11" of the clamping plate 11 is connected to the part 11' by means of a hinge or pivot joint 8. This hinge is formed by a groove in the clamping plate 1 1, thus constituting a film hinge. When using an oval loudspeaker, the hinge 8 extends in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse. The clamping plate may consist of a synthetic material or of tough presswood board.

At those edges or remote ends 15 of the clamping plate parts 11' and 11" which face away from the hinge, hooks 17, 17' have been provided whose openings face towards the end edges 19, 19' of the loudspeaker aperture 7. The hooks or engaging means 17, 17' are mounted on the side of clamping plate 11 which faces away from the loudspeaker chassis 9 and can be slid over the edges 19, 19' of the loudspeaker aperture 7. The axial distance between the ends 18 of the hooks is slightly greater than the distance between the edges 19, 19' of the loudspeaker aperture.

On the pivoted clamping plate second part 11", a leafspring 21 has been fitted on the side facing the loudspeaker chassis 9. A spring arm or securing means 23 of the leafspring 21 is capable of snapping over the flange 25 of the loudspeaker chassis 9 when clamping plate 11 is depressed.

To mount the loudspeaker 9 the hook 17 is positioned on the edge 19. In a similar way the hook 17' is placed on the edge 19 in the pivoted condition or V- shaped and first orientation of the clamping plate. Subsequently, the loudspeaker is pressed towards the baffle 3 in the direction of an arrow 27. Thus the clamping plate parts 11 and 11 are made to extend in one plane to a second, generally flat orientation and the hooks 17 and 17' engage behind the loudspeaker baffle 3. Simultaneouosly, the spring arm 23 snaps over the chassis flange 25. Thus the loudspeaker is secured to loudspeaker baffle 3 and can only be removed from said baffle when the spring arm 23 is withdrawn.

What is claimed is:

1. A loudspeaker fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to the rear ofa loudspeaker baffle by means of a clamping plate which engages with the fixing flange of the loudspeaker and which does not obstruct the loudspeaker aperture, characterized in that the clamping plate consists of two parts which can be pivoted relative to each other, and one of which is secured to the loudspeaker chassis, and that insertion hooks have been provided near those edges of the clamping plate parts which face away from the hinge, by means of which hooks said edges can be attached to the edges of the loudspeaker aperture, and that the axial distance between the hooks is slightly smaller than the distance between the associated clamping plate edges and the edges of the loudspeaker aperture respectively, so that when the bent clamping plate is depressed into the plane of the loudspeaker baffle the entire plate is compressed axially between the hooks, thus securing the loudspeaker.

2. Loudspeaker fixture is claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hooks are mounted on the edges of the clamping plate parts facing away from the hinge in such a way that their openings face the edge of the loudspeaker aperture.

3. Loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a latching spring has been provided at the edge of the pivoted clamping plate part facing away from the hinge, which spring snaps over the loudspeaker chassis when the clamping plate is depressed.

4. Loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge between the clamping plate parts which can be pivoted relative to each other is constituted by a film hinge formed by a groove in the clamping plate.

5. A loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge extends in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse in the case of an oval loudspeaker.

6. A fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to a loudspeaker baffle frame which has defined therein an aperture having sides and end edges and a predetermined length dimension between said end edges, the fixture comprising a clamping plate formed of first and second parts with a pivot joint between them and first and second ends of said parts remote from said joint, one of said plate parts adapted to having the loudspeaker securable thereto, said plate parts being pivotable between a first V-shape orientation with length between said ends being less than said length of the aperture, and a second generally flat orientation with length between said ends being greater than in said first orientation, and engaging means for engaging each of said ends to one of said end edges of the aperture, whereby when said loudspeaker is secured to one of said plate parts and said parts are pivoted to said first orientation, the speaker is mountable to said baffle by engaging via said engaging means the first plate part end to one of said end edges of the aperture, pivoting said parts to said second orientation, and then engaging the second plate part end to the remaining end edge of the aperture.

7. A fixture according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means comprises a hook on each of said plate part remote ends for engaging one of said end edges of the aperture.

8. A fixture according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means comprises a hook on each end edge of the aperture for engaging one of said plate part ends.

9. A fixture according to claim 6 further comprising securing means for releasably securing said loudspeaker to said second plate part when said parts are in said second orientation.

10. A fixture according to claim 9 wherein said securing means is a spring on said second plate part for engaging said loudspeaker.

I. 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 8 5, 29 Dated December 17, 1974 In e tor GUNTER KRA INHOFER It is certified that error appears in the above-identified giatent and that said Lerte'rs Patent are hereby corrected as shown belcw:

In the heading, under "priority date" "2229679" should be 2229679.3-

Column 2, line 36, after "drawings" insert (period) Column 3, Claim 2, line 1, after "fixture" is" should be --as-- Signed and sealed this 18th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON I Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. A loudspeaker fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to the rear of a loudspeaker baffle by means of a clamping plate which engages with the fixing flange of the loudspeaker and which does not obstruct the loudspeaker aperture, characterized in that the clamping plate consists of two parts which can be pivoted relative to each other, and one of which is secured to the loudspeaker chassis, and that insertion hooks have been provided near those edges of the clamping plate parts which face away from the hinge, by means of which hooks said edges can be attached to the edges of the loudspeaker aperture, and that the axial distance between the hooks is slightly smaller than the distance between the associated clamping plate edges and the edges of the loudspeaker aperture respectively, so that when the bent clamping plate is depressed into the plane of the loudspeaker baffle the entire plate is compressed axially between the hooks, thus securing the loudspeaker.
 2. Loudspeaker fixture is claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hooks are mounted on the edges of the clamping plate parts facing away from the hinge in such a way that their openings face the edge of the loudspeaker aperture.
 3. Loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a latching spring has been provided at the edge of the pivoted clamping plate part facing away from the hinge, which spring snaps over the loudspeaker chassis when the clamping plate is depressed.
 4. Loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge between the clamping plate parts which can be pivoted relative to each other is constituted by a film hinge formed by a groove in the clamping plate.
 5. A loudspeaker fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge extends in the direction of the minor axis of the ellipse in the case of an oval loudspeaker.
 6. A fixture for mounting a loudspeaker to a loudspeaker baffle frame which has defined therein an aperture having sides and end edges and a predetermined length dimension between said end edges, the fixture comprising a clamping plate formed of first and second parts with a pivot joint between them and first and second ends of said parts remote from said joint, one of said plate parts adapted to having the loudspeaker securable thereto, said plate parts being pivotable between a first V-shape orientation with length between said ends being less than said length of the aperture, and a second generally flat orientation with length between said ends being greater than in said first orientation, and engaging means for engaging each of said ends to one of said end edges of the aperture, whereby when said loudspeaker is secured to one of said plate parts and said parts are pivoted to said first orientation, the speaker is mountable to said baffle by engaging via said engaging means the first plate part end to one of said end edges of the aperture, pivoting said parts to said second orientation, and then engaging the second plate part end to the remaining end edge of the aperture.
 7. A fixture according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means comprises a hook on each of said plate part remote ends for engaging one of said end edges of the aperture.
 8. A fixture according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means comprises a hook on each end edge of the aperture for engaging one of said plate part ends.
 9. A fixture according to claim 6 further comprising securing means for releasably securing said loudspeaker to said second plate part when saiD parts are in said second orientation.
 10. A fixture according to claim 9 wherein said securing means is a spring on said second plate part for engaging said loudspeaker. 